Five plays after Nate Ozdemir recovered a fumble by FIU’s Alex McGough, Rodriguez scored on a 5-yard run to give the Owls a 7-0 lead with 6:01 left in the first quarter.

Article continues below ...

FAU forced the Panthers to punt on their ensuing possession before Jason Driskel’s 6-yard scoring run made it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

FIU (4-5, 2-3) cut its deficit to 17-10 on a 47-yard field goal by Austin Taylor with 5:45 left in the third, but Florida Atlantic responded with a 17-play, 78-yard drive that chewed up more than eight minutes and culminated with a 1-yard touchdown run by Rodriguez.

Jalen Young’s 58-yard interception return for a touchdown made it 31-10 with 3:01 to play.